Ravens' turnaround task continues at AFC Liverpool

FC Isle of Man hoping to end three-game losing run

FC Isle of Man are once again out to end a stuttering run of three straight defeats when they travel to face AFC Liverpool in the NWCFL Premier Division at 3pm tomorrow (23 September).

The Manx side have 16 points from their first 12 games and sit 15th in the table but are without a win in their last five matches.

What's more their opponents on Saturday AFC Liverpool, have beaten the Ravens in all four of their previous meetings up until now.

FC Isle of Man Manager, Paul Jones, says whilst the latest results haven't been ideal, they have to focus on the positives if they want to turn their recent run around:

After a run including four consecutive victories during August, FC Isle of Man's recent dip has seen them record one draw and five losses in their league outings following that run.

The latest of which came last weekend as they blew a half-time lead to lose to current league strugglers, Squires Gate, at The Brian Addison Stadium.

What's more, the results have also been intertwined with a drought in front of goal for the Manx side who in this most recent five-game stretch have scored just three times.

However, whilst recent head-to-head form between themselves and AFC Liverpool certainly favours the latter, the Merseyside outfit have themselves experienced an indifferent start to the season.

AFC Liverpool have won all four encounters with FC Isle of Man since the first meeting in March 2022 which includes two wins on home turf in the Macron Cup over the last two seasons as well as beating Paul Jones' side home and away in the NWCFL Premier Division in 2022/23.

But so far this campaign, AFC Liverpool have had a topsy-turvy run of five wins and five losses which puts them one point behind FC Isle of Man heading into the weekend, albeit having played two games less.

AFC Liverpool vs FC Isle of Man takes place on Saturday, 23 September, at The Marine Travel Arena, kicking-off at 3pm

FC Isle of Man team news

Paul Jones makes just two changes to his squad which suffered defeat in Blackpool six days ago.

Coming into his 16-strong setup again are Tom Creer and Sam Gelling who feature for the first time since the Ravens' loss at Skelmersdale United in late August.

Those not involved this week are Furo Davies - who was sent off late on during last week's defeat - and Connor Birch.

FC Isle of Man squad vs AFC Liverpool

Ben Wilkinson (GK), Sam Baines, Ryan Burns, Tom Creer, Jacob Crook, Sean Doyle, Tiernan Garvey, Sam Gelling, Frank Jones, Alex Maitland, Jack McVey, Dean Pinnington, Eoighain Sherrard, Joe Walters, Michael Williams, Ste Whitley